Willa "Dean" Crouch

Willa “Dean” (Sexton) Crouch, 101, passed away on Wednesday evening, February 19, 2025, in Chandler, Oklahoma.

Dean was born on May 10, 1923, in Prue, Oklahoma to Jim Riley and Clara Mae (Wilson) Sexton. She graduated from Davenport High School, Davenport, Oklahoma. Dean married Amos Crouch on October 31, 1940. Together they had 6 children. Amos preceded her in death in 1988.

Dean worked at Deiner Mills Sewing Factory in Chandler for over 10 years. At the time of her death, she was the oldest charter member of Chandler Southern Baptist Church. She served the church as part of the funeral dinner team and was in charge of the prayer chain. Dean loved reading her Bible and was a prayer warrior. She also served with Meals on Wheels and enjoyed playing cards in her free time. Dean was first and foremost a wife, mother, and homemaker. She was an excellent cook and loved the annual family Thanksgiving dinner where she hosted as many as 40 people at a time. Dean’s family would say she was “the best mother there ever was” and was known as a sweet lady. She was recognized as a Centenarian of Oklahoma on her 100th birthday on May 10, 2023. 

Dean was preceded in death by her parents, James and Clara Sexton; her husband, Amos Crouch; sister, Betty Moore; daughter and son-in-law, Terri and Wayne Miller; son-in-law, Bobby McEntire; grandchildren, Cody Crouch, and Tiffany Deisher; and nephew, Ronnie Moore.

Dean is survived by her children, Virginia Ward and husband, Charles Ward, Harold Crouch and wife, Judy Crouch, Jimmy Crouch and wife, Pat Crouch, Joe Crouch and wife, Glenda Crouch, and Marilyn McEntire; grandchildren, Mark Ward, Kathryn Jennings, Jon Crouch, Sherri Gibson, Gretchen Matthews, Jason Crouch, Michelle Peace, Daniel McEntire, and Amy Dunn; 23 great-grandchildren; 8 great-great grandchildren; as well as a host of other family members and friends.